Members of Congress + MMA, what could go wrong?

The U.S. Congress has seen its fair share of battles, sometimes real fist fights, so they know how to honor a fighter,

the nonprofit Armed Forces Foundation honored Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White at its annual Congressional gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.    

That's right, the sport that was once called human-cockfighting by Senator John McCain was just honored in a building dedicated to Ronald Reagan --McCain's political inspiration-- and U.S. Representatives were in attendance, 

Which had us thinking ... perhaps this is the way for Democrats and Republicans to handle their political differences over the economic crisis?

"No," quipped Rep. Darrell Issa, although the California Republican added he would enter the cage for one exception. "I guess for this charity," he joked.

As for Rep. John Boozman?

"This guy could whoop me with both his hands and feet tied together," the Arkansas Republican joked of the UFC fighter on hand. "He could beat me with just his head, I think."

Perhaps Members shouldn't be so hesitant, according to Florian - who won his last bout by, um, choking a guy. "Politics itself, there's probably aspects to it that's more brutal than getting into a cage," he said.

I would pay good money to watch Rep. Issa get his ass kicked. 

Every step towards respectability is great news for MMA. It is also nice to see Kenny Florian as the new ambassador for the sport.